John m



1. M. LARSON. PRESSURE ataumon.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2.19m.

ilmllllmii g mun L JOHN M. LARSON, OF CHICAGO, ZLLINOIS, ASSIGNO B TO NATIONAL REGULATOR I COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. I

PRESSURE-REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 13, 1919.

Application filed June 2, 1916. Serial No. 101,287.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. LARsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pressure-Regulators, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. I I

My invention relates to improvements in pressure regulators having especial reference to high ressure regulators operating on dif ferential pressure and adapted for use with boilers, electric switches, starting and stopping devices, auxiliary valves, etc., and has for its object the production ofa device that is suitable for operation on differential pressures. I I

A further object is the production of a device of extremely sensitive character and one in which all strains on the diaphragm are eliminated.

A further object is the production of a device in which all metal, diaphragms are used that can be easily adjusted and of a simple and inexpensive construction and not liable to wear and disarrangement of parts.

A further object is the production of an automatic expansion trap and means for automatically keeping said trap clearof sediment.

A further object is the production of simple means for varying the amount of power with which to operate the device.

A further object is the production of simple means for regulating the limit of movement of the power lever.

These and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are attained by my device, an embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which is shown a side elevation of my device with portions broken away. Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

The steam from the boiler at any desired pressure is caused to pass through pipe connection 1 directly into the interior of the diaphragm and also through an ordinary reducing valve 2 and suitable pipe connection 3 through an opening 4 into the chamber 5 Within the diaphragm casing 6 and outside of the diaphragms 7.

An adjustable expansion trap. 8 is provided in open communication with the pipe 3 and a gage 9 is also-mounted thereon.

A post or stem 10 is mounted on the top of the diaphragm sections within the casing and extends upwardly through the stufiing box 11 and on the top of this stem is pivotally mounted through the medium of an ordinary universal joint shown at 12 a lever supporting yoke-13. A lever supporting collar 14 is pivotally mounted at 15 within the yoke and supports the lever 16. This in the top of the yokes 13 and 18 to permit the insertion of a screw driver to tighten or loosen the screw bolt '20, 20. v

The joint at 12 is in the nature of a universal joint permitting free motion of the lever support. On either side of the posts 19 are oppositely disposed brackets 22, 22, within which are screwed a pair of stops in the form of screw threaded bolts 23, 23 provided with suitable lock nuts 24, 24 whereby said bolts may be held in any desired position with respect to each other and in engagement with the lower face of the lever 16. The use of these stops permits the regulation of the movement of said lever within definite predetermined limits. A suitable weight 25 is provided slidably mounted on the lever 16 to compensate for the weight of the door or damper and permits accurate adjustment of the device.

The steam pipe 1 is screwed into the base 26 of the diaphragm casing at 27 and a reduced passage 28 extends up through the center of the threaded studs 29 on which are screwed the hubs 30 of the diaphragm sections 7.

Small passages 31 are provided forming open communications for the passage of steam from the boiler into the interior 32 of each of the individual diaphragm sections. A damper or other member, not shown, which it is desired to control by my device is connected to the end of the lever 14 as at 33 and controlled by its upward and downward movement.

The expansion trap 8 is in o n communication with the system throug the medium of the pipe 34 and comprises an outer cyr lindrical shell or casing 35 with a threaded extension 36 at the top through which steam is admitted from the system and a similar extension 37 at the bottom through which the steam and water of condensation is discharged. The split rod 38 of some resilient expansible metal is mounted within the casing, the upper end 39 being screwed through the extension 36 and the lower end 40 secured to the top of the valve stem 41 extending down into the lower extension 37 Referring now to the fulcrum post 19, this post is provided with an extended base 46 having extensions 47 48, of unequal length, the post being secured to the top of thediaphragm casing by means of a pair of screws 49, 49. The post may be mounted on the opposite sides of the diaphragm if desired as shown in dotted lines, 19.

The distance between the point of application of the power at 12 and the fulcrum point 17 of the lever 'may be varied by turnmg the post 19 so that the long extension 47 is next to the center of the casing, thus increasing the leverage.

In the operation of my device the reducing valve is set at any desired pressure, say 95 lbs. and the lever 16 and weight are balanced and adjusted to support the damper in open position.

The steam will pass through the pipe 1 and into the interior of the diaphragm sections through the passage 28 and the openings 31 and also through the reducing valve 2 and pipes 3 into the interior of the casing surrounding the diaphragm. When the pressure reaches 95 pounds the reducing valve will close and prevent the admission of any more steam into the casing. As the pressure increases, the steam can still pass into the interior of the diaphragm sections distending them and raising the stem 10 thus operatin the lever 16 to close the damper. While t is is taking place, a small portion of the steam within the casing escapes through the expansion trap 8. As the pressure falls, the lever operates to open the damper until the pressure falls below 95 pounds or whatever point the reducing valve is. set for when the reducing valve opens again admitting steam to the system and the operation is completed.

In the construction of the expansion trap 8 its adjustable feature permits the setting of the valve stem so that it can never close stem 41 may be completely, and thus eliminate any danger of causing a hydraulic ram effect on the casing, while the use of the spllt rod 38 pre- When the device is i use, the hot steam normally keeps the rod 8 expanded and the split portion distended, occupying the position shown inthe drawing, with the valve stem slightly off the seat so that steam and water of condensation may escape through the trap when the reducing valve is closed.

In the event that any sediment or foreign matter passes through the system as is often the case, it will naturally gravitate to the expansion trap and settle about the rod 38 and clog the valve. When this occurs, the temperature within the interior of the easing will lower from the accumulating condensation, cooling the rod and as the rod cools it contracts, raising the valve stem and vents any danger of buckling or distortion of the rod.

opening the valve so that before long the pressure will be suflicient to blow sediment from the bottom and flush out the out the accumulated sediment and dirt from the interior of the casing and as the steam passes through, the rod becomes heated again and expands until the valve resumes its normal position.

I have thus provided automatic means for keeping the system flushed and clear of sediment, preventing any undue increase of pressure within the diaphragm and insuring perfect automatic working of the system as a whole. This device is very simple in operation and asthe pressure is substantially equal both within and without the diaphragm, the diaphragms are subjected to very little pressure.

Most high pressure regulators require a steam pipe and water supply and waste while'in my device only a slngle steam pipe is required. In mbst devices on the market, a considerable weight is required to balance the boiler pressure from the large diaphragm, but in my device the change in position of the damper may be regulated by shifting the fulcrum post 19.

In the figure as shown there is steam on in the boiler and the damper is open and remains so until the pressure reaches the point at which the reducing valve is set and beyond this the regulator begins its operation and continues automatically as heretofore described.

In devices'of this character, gradual ac tion is desirable and in the construction shown this gradual action is attained by my device.

I While I have shown my device to be used in connection with a damper and so described it, there are various other devices all characters, electric switches, auxiliary valves, etc. and I do not limit specific mechanism shown, but any device of this character accomplishing the purpose in the manner heretofore set forth and described comes well within the spiritof my invention. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing, a plurality of diaphragms within said casing, a stem mounted on said diaphragms and connected with said lever, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragms, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said .diaphragms, a reducing valve interposed between said source of pressure and the dia phragm casing, and means for relieving the pressure within said diaphragm casing.

2. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing, a

' plurality of diaphragms within said casing,

a stem mounted on said diaphragms and connected with said lever, a shiftable ful-- crum for said lever mounted on said diaphragm casing, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragms, and a reducing valve interposed between said source of pressure and the diaphragm casing. I

3. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing, a

plurality of diaphragms within said casing,

a stem mounted on said diaphragms and connected with said lever, a shiftable fulcrum for said lever mounted on said diaphragm casing, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragms, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragms, a reducing valve interposed between said source of pressure and the diaphragm casing, and means for relieving the pressure withm said diaphragm casing.

4. In a device of the class described,'an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing,- a plurality of diaphragms within said casing, a stem mounted on said diaphragms and connected with said lever, a shifta'ble :t'ulcrum for said lever mounted on said diaphragm casing, a plurality of stops mounted on said fulcrum whereby the upward and downward movement of said lever in either direction may be regulated, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragms, and a reducing valve interposed between said source of pressure and the diaphragm casing.

myself to the diaphragm casing" outside of said diahragms, and a reducing valve interposed )etween said source of pressure and the diaphragm casing.

6. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a. source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing, a plu-' rality of diaphragms within said casing, a stem mounted on said diaphragms and connected with said lever. means for admitting pressure within said'diaphragms, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragmcasing outside of said diaphragms, a reducing valve interposed'between said source of pressure and the diaphragm casing, and means for automatically relieving the pressure within said diaphragm casing.

7. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm Easing, a plurality of diaphragms within said casing, a stem mounted on said diaphragms and connected with said lever, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragms, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragms, a reduc ing valve interposed between said source of pressure and the @diaphragm casing, a' trap in open communication with said system adapted to automatically relieve the pressure within said casing, and means for preventing the accumulation of sediment within said trap.

8. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a' diaphragm casing, a plurality of diaphragms within said casing, a stem mounted on said diaphragms and con- 115 nected with said lever, a shiftable fulcrum for said lever mounted on said diaphragm casing. means for admitting pressure within said diaphragms, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of 120 said diaphragms, a reducing valve interposed between said source of pressure and the diaphragm casing, and means for relieving the pressure within said diaphragm casing, said means comprising an automatically H25 operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragmcasing, a plurality of diaphragms within sa1d casing,

. a stem mounted on said diaphragms and sure within said diaphragms, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragm's, a reducing valve interposed between saidsource of pressure and the diaphragm casing, and means for relieving the pressure within said diaphragm casing, said means comprising an automatically operative trap having a normally open valve and means whereby the lowering of the temperature within said trap automatlcally increases the discharge area of said valve. 10. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing, a plurality of diaphragms within said casing, a stem mounted on said diaphragms, a unlversal joint connecting said stem, means for admitting pressure within said diaphragms, means for admitting pressure Within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragms, a reducin valve interposed between said source 0 pressure and the diaphragm casing, and means for automatically relieving the pressure within said diaphragm casing.

11. In a device of the class described, an operating lever, a source of pressure adapted to actuate same, a diaphragm casing, a plurality of diaphragms within said casing, astem mounted on said diaphragms, a universal joint connecting said stem, a shiftable fulcrum for saidlever mounted on said diaphragm casing, means for admittin pressure within sa1d diaphragms, means or admitting pressure within said diaphragm casing outside of said diaphragms, a reducing valve interposed between said source of pressure and t e diaphragm casing, and means for relieving the pressure within said diaphragm casing, said means comprising an automatically operative trap having a normally open valve and means whereby the lowering of the temperature within said trap increases the discharge area of said valve.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witmesses.

JOHN M. LARSON. Witnesses:

, Jos. H. KING, H. A; HARRIS. 

